Artichokes - winter protection

[Suzanne]

Hopefully someone can give me some advice. I grew globe artichokes for the first time this year from seeds that came round in seed swaps - they have been delicious by the way. A neighbour said I shouldn't harvest any in the first year - but I wanted to make sure I liked them before I allowed them to become permanent.

Anyway - decided I do and will grow more, but what is the best way to ensure that they see it through the winter months. or don't they need any protection? They are a mix - violette romanesca and green globe.

They all have produced up to 12 heads on each plant (I have four) and I have cut  of these as small baby artichokes.

[Suzanne]

[twinkletoes]

Suzanne I just leave mine to over winter without any particular help.  I have just cut back the old stems that produced artichokes this year as there is new growth coming from the bottom.  I did the same last year and this years crop was fab.
twinkletoes

[sawfish]

I left mine too,  and they were fine up here in freezing Scotland.

[Suzanne]

Wow - really quick replies thank you we don't really get cold winters anymore so I'll leave them and be glad of one less thing to worry about  ;D

By the wat -are we all on our lunch break and perusing A4A sandwich in hand?

[asbean]

Yes  :P :P :P

[twinkletoes]

...I've got home made/grown courgette soup......
twinkletoes

[realfood]

It really depends on the Winter. If it is likely to go down to -10 to -20 then a covering will help. I use a rigid translucent cover to keep the worst of the cold and the rain off the crown. Young plants are not as hardy as older ones.

[grawrc]

Also depends on how exposed they are to the elements. I have Green Globe in Edinburgh in a quite sheltered spot and I just let them get on with it.

[antipodes]

Yes they seem to grow here with no help at all - but do cut right back teh stems that produced flowers. The leaves will go all floppy over winter but new growth will appear in the spring (so yes they do keep getting bigger!!!) If they have produced "babies" at their base I think you can remove those and plant them.